JP4650141B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing program for performing control to display a button for selecting a function and a box for setting a parameter on a display unit.

  In recent years, multifunction devices having various functions such as a copy, a scanner, a printer, a facsimile, and an electronic mail have been widely used. In such a multifunctional multifunction peripheral, in order to execute a desired function, a button for selecting a function and a box for parameter setting are displayed on the display panel. The user refers to the display panel. A desired function is executed by selecting a desired button or inputting a parameter in a box.

  Here, various functions are integrated in the digital multi-function peripheral, but only customization that provides functions that are often used for the display panel in the same layout as the greatest common denominator can be provided. In view of this, an idea has been made to allow individual initial screen display or operation mode condition parameters to be set for each user after authentication for each user.

  However, even if it can be customized for each user, it is necessary for each user to make customization settings and to maintain it so that it is easy to use. That's not true. Rather, it is more realistic to select a customization pattern that is pre-arranged and use a pattern that is close to your task and make some changes on the spot. In addition, it is advantageous to share and use something customized by someone else, and it is not realistic to manage which users are allowed to use it.

  Therefore, it is considered that there is a need for a system that does not necessarily require user authentication, can select layout customization according to a task desired by the user, and can share and use it.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to improve usability when a user uses a multifunctional multifunction peripheral, an example of an apparatus that calls a user-specified content for a function item of an image forming apparatus stored as a program (for example, Patent Document 1). Parameter storage type job memory that can store and expand job start conditions, step storage type job memory that stores and recalls user-operated history, and device for resetting operation mode There are an example (for example, see Patent Document 2) and an example in which auto clear is operated for each user (for example, see Patent Document 3), and a technique for storing, calling and using an operation condition is disclosed.

JP-A-7-134517 JP-A-6-175444 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-189049

  However, these are functions for storing, calling, and resetting the setting state of function items as operation conditions or operation modes, and the layout pattern of buttons and boxes on the display panel cannot be easily selected. In addition, as a technique for sharing user setting contents (customization information) among a plurality of image forming apparatuses (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-306204), and an example of customizing a layout, the position, shape, size, Although there is an example of customizing colors and the like (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-78094), since the objects and function items to be operated do not change, the operability cannot be improved only by customizing the layout.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems. That is, the present invention is the information processing apparatus having a display means for displaying the functions widgets preparative is an element of a graphical user interface associated with various functions, the layout to partition the display area of the functional widget on the display unit pattern for, segmented the layout pattern storage means for area to store a plurality of different layout patterns, layout order storage means for storing a plurality of arrangement order of the assignment order of said functional widget to divided areas of the layout pattern The layout pattern and the arrangement order designated by the user are accepted, the accepted layout pattern is called from the layout pattern storage means, the accepted arrangement order is called from the arrangement order storage means, and the call is made. The divided areas of the layout pattern, and a display control means for generating display data by assigning the function widget in response to the calling arrangement order.

Further, the present invention is an information processing program for executing the control for displaying the graphical user interface elements der Ru function widgets related to various functions on the display unit by the computer, in advance, the display of the functional widget on the display unit layout pattern for dividing the region, and divided areas are different Tray out pattern, and stored in a plurality of arrangement order and the storage means for assigning the function widgets in divided areas of the layout pattern When the layout pattern and the arrangement order specified by the user are received, the received layout pattern and the arrangement order are called from the storage means, and the divided layout areas of the called layout pattern are That call The process of generating display data assigned pre Symbol function widget in accordance with the arrangement order is an information processing program executed by a computer.

  In the present invention, when the user designates a preset layout pattern and arrangement order, the display data on the screen is constructed by the combination, and each combination can be freely set. Can be used by switching. Thereby, a plurality of screens corresponding to a plurality of user task themes can be easily switched and used.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the user can easily obtain a screen display according to his / her preference or a frequently-used task by switching the layout pattern or switching the arrangement order of the function widgets.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. That is, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an operation panel (display unit) 20 that displays buttons (icons) for selecting functions and boxes (data input frames) for setting parameters. This is mainly composed of a multifunction machine capable of executing a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a scan function, and an electronic mail function.

  The information processing apparatus 1 includes a controller 10, an image input unit 30, and an image output unit 40 in addition to the operation panel 20, and selects buttons displayed on the touch panel display 21 of the operation panel 20 and inputs parameters to the boxes. Accept and execute the desired function.

  The controller 10 is a part that controls the operation panel 20, the image input unit 30, and the image output unit 40, and includes a panel I / F (interface) 11, a main CPU 12, a system memory 13, a previous initial value storage unit 14, and a system memory 15. , An input unit I / F 16, an output unit I / F 17, an initial value storage unit 18, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 19. Data input / output control for the operation panel 20 is mainly performed by the panel I / F 11, and the image input unit 30. Data input / output control is performed at the input unit I / F 16 and data input / output with respect to the image output unit 40 is performed at the output unit I / F 17.

  The main CPU 12 executes a program for generating display data for displaying buttons and boxes on the touch panel display 21 of the operation panel 20 together with the control processing of each unit. This program is an information processing program according to the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the screen display according to the task that the user wants to perform can be switched by a simple operation instead of customization for each user by user authentication. is there.

  In order to realize this, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a layout pattern storage unit that stores a layout pattern in which areas for displaying buttons and boxes are displayed on the touch panel display 21 of the operation panel 20, and layout pattern classification. The HDD 19 is provided with an arrangement order storage unit for storing an arrangement order for assigning buttons and boxes to the designated areas, and receives the layout pattern and arrangement order designated by the user, and the accepted layout pattern and arrangement order. Is executed as program processing of the main CPU 12 by generating a display data by assigning buttons and boxes to the divided areas of the called layout pattern in accordance with the called arrangement order. .

  Here, the layout pattern is obtained by dividing the display area of the touch panel display 21 and assigning a number to each division. For example, there are patterns as shown in FIGS. The layout patterns in FIGS. 3 to 7 are merely examples, and other layout patterns may be used.

  The arrangement order is information in which the arrangement order of function widgets assigned in accordance with the layout pattern classification is set, and the function widgets are assigned in the order of layout pattern numbering. Here, the function widget is an element of a graphical user interface related to various functions. Even if the arrangement order is stored in the HDD 19 in advance, the arrangement order may be changed by the user by a predetermined program process.

  In this embodiment, since such a layout pattern and arrangement order are set in advance, the user can specify a desired layout pattern and arrangement order, and function widgets according to the arrangement order can be classified into the layout patterns. Can be obtained.

  Next, the information processing program according to the present embodiment will be described along the flowchart of FIG. First, the layout pattern designated by the user is read from the layout pattern storage unit of the HDD 19, and the vertical and horizontal sizes of the division are determined from the information of the divided areas (step S1).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is an area in which the function widget is to be arranged (step S2). The allocation function size information is notified to the corresponding function widget (step S3).

  Next, the function widget compares the size of the view with the size of the arrangement area to be assigned (step S4). Specifically, the maximum view size by the function widget is compared with the size of the arrangement area (step S5), and it is determined whether or not the arrangement area is entered with the view size (step S6). If not, the next larger view size is compared with the size of the arrangement area (step S7), and it is determined whether or not it is entered (step S8). Steps S7 to S8 are repeated until a view size that falls within the arrangement area is found. If a view size that falls within the placement area is found, it is determined that a function widget of that view size is assigned to the placement area (step S9).

  Next, the process returns to step S2, and it is determined whether or not there is another area to be arranged. If there is, the steps S3 to S9 are repeated to determine a function widget having a view size that falls within the arrangement area. When the assignment of the function widget is confirmed for all the arrangement areas, display data is generated with the layout and drawn on the touch panel display 21 (step S10).

  With such an information processing program of this embodiment, the user can easily change the display layout by simply specifying a desired layout pattern and arrangement order, and a screen corresponding to the frequency of jobs and frequently used contents Jobs can be executed using the layout.

  If there is no designation by the user, such as when the information processing apparatus 1 is turned on, after a reset operation, or after a predetermined time has elapsed, the layout pattern and arrangement order stored in advance in the initial value storage unit 18 of the information processing apparatus 1 The above information processing program is executed using and the display data may be generated according to this layout pattern and arrangement order. The layout pattern and arrangement order stored in the initial value storage unit 18 may be set in advance by the user or registered as the initial value of the device.

  In addition, when the user designates a layout pattern and an arrangement order, the combination is stored in the previous initial value storage unit 14, and the layout pattern and the layout pattern stored in the previous initial value storage unit 14 even if a reset operation is performed. The display according to the arrangement order may be maintained. Whether to maintain the display by the reset operation or switch to the initial state may be set in advance by the user.

  Next, as a specific example, setting of a screen layout related to the mail function will be described. The layout of the conventional mail transmission screen is fixed and has no customizability according to the user's task, but in the present embodiment, the user can select various layout patterns.

  As the layout pattern, those shown in FIGS. The layout pattern A shown in FIG. 3 is a pattern that can lay out the most functions, the layout pattern B shown in FIG. 4 is a pattern that allows simple layout of functions, and the layout pattern C shown in FIG. 5 is a pattern that can be laid out for beginners. 6 is displayed by selecting the transmission and destination tabs. The layout pattern D shown in FIG. 6 is a pattern that can be laid out for beginners, displayed by selecting the subject and body text tabs, and the layout pattern E shown in FIG. Is displayed by selecting a function tab among patterns that can be laid out for beginners. In any layout pattern, numbering is performed according to each division, and functions designated in the arrangement order are assigned in order corresponding to these numbers.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a combination example of a layout pattern and an arrangement order. Here, five patterns from 01 to 05 are prepared for the arrangement order. Among them, in the arrangement order 01, 1: transmission destination designation, 2: destination, 3-1: sender address, 3-2: subject, 3-3: body, 4: color mode, 5: duplex designation, 6: document The functions are specified in the order of image quality, 7: output file format. In the arrangement order 02, it is designated in the order of 1: transmission destination designation, 2: destination, 3: double-side designation. In the arrangement order 03, it is designated in the order of 1: destination, 2: sender address. In the arrangement order 04, 1: Subject, 2: Text are specified in this order. In the arrangement order 05, they are specified in the order of 1: color mode, 2: duplex specification, 3: document image quality, 4: output file format.

  By specifying the layout pattern described above and the arrangement order, the user can display a layout screen obtained by combining them. For example, when the layout pattern A and the arrangement order 01 are selected, the function of the arrangement order 01 number corresponding to the division number of the layout pattern A shown in FIG. 3 is assigned, and the function corresponds to the assigned area size. The function widget is selected and drawn on the touch panel display 21.

  In the combination of the layout pattern A and the arrangement order 01, the function widget of “designation of transmission destination” that is number 1 of the arrangement order 01 is arranged at the position of the division number 1 of the layout pattern A shown in FIG. A function widget “destination” that is number 2 in the arrangement order 01 is arranged at the position of the division number 2. Similarly, the “sender address” is at the position of the division number 3-1, “subject” is at the position of the division number 3-2, “text” is at the position of the division number 3-3, and the position is at the division number 4. Is a “color mode”, “double-sided designation” at the position of division number 5, “image quality” of the document at the position of division number 6, and “output file format” at the position of division number 7. Will be. FIG. 9 shows an example of screen display by a combination of the layout pattern A and the arrangement order 01.

  Here, the switching of the screen layout by the user can be further facilitated by using the task launcher screen as shown in FIG. In the task launcher screen shown in FIG. 10, task selection buttons such as “expert”, “mail beginner”, and “simple mail” are displayed, and a combination of a layout pattern and an arrangement order is preset for each button. Has been.

  For example, when the “expert” button is selected, the combination of the layout pattern A and the arrangement order 01 is automatically set, and the screen display shown in FIG. 9 is performed. When the “Mail Beginner” button is selected, a combination of layout pattern C and arrangement order 03, layout pattern D and arrangement order 04, layout pattern E and arrangement order 05 is automatically set, and each combination is a tab. A switchable screen display is performed.

  FIGS. 11 to 13 are diagrams showing examples of tab switching type screen display for “mail beginner”. When the “Mail Beginner” button is selected, three combinations of layout pattern C and arrangement order 03, layout pattern D and arrangement order 04, layout pattern E and arrangement order 05 are set, and these can be switched by tabs. The screen is displayed.

  For example, in the destination tab shown in FIG. 11, the screen display is based on the combination of the layout pattern C and the arrangement order 03, and the function widgets “destination” and “sender address” are displayed. In the subject tab shown in FIG. 12, the screen display is based on the combination of the layout pattern D and the arrangement order 04, and the “subject” and “text” function widgets are displayed. In the function tab shown in FIG. 13, the screen display is a combination of the layout pattern E and the arrangement order 05, and function widgets of “color mode”, “double-sided designation”, “original image quality”, and “output file format” are displayed. Is displayed. Each of these screen displays is switched by selecting a tab.

  Further, when the “simple mail” button is selected on the task launcher screen shown in FIG. 10, the combination of the layout pattern B and the arrangement order 02 is automatically set, and “transmission destination designation” as shown in FIG. The “destination” and “double-sided” function widgets are arranged at corresponding positions in the layout pattern B.

  Further, as described above, it is also possible to display in combinations other than those in which a combination of layout pattern and arrangement order is set in advance. In this case, the user can set the layout pattern and the arrangement order separately, or can freely set the combination of the layout pattern and the arrangement order by the buttons on the task launcher screen.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example based on a combination of the layout pattern B and the arrangement order 01. Here, in the layout pattern B, there are three divisions as shown in FIG. 4, which is smaller than the number of functions in the arrangement order 01. In this case, only the functions of numbers 1 to 3 in the arrangement order 01 corresponding to the division numbers 1 to 3 are assigned. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, three “transmission destination designation”, “destination”, and “sender address” are displayed in the corresponding divided areas in this screen display. Note that the functions after the number 3-2 remaining without being arranged may be displayed by switching the screen by selecting, for example, the “other” tab.

  In either example, a function widget corresponding to the size of the layout pattern segmentation area is automatically selected, and display data that fits in the size is generated. For example, two types of function widgets for “both sides” as shown in FIG. 16 are prepared. That is, FIG. 16A is a small size function widget, and FIG. 16B is a large size function widget.

  Therefore, for example, when assigning to a small division area such as the division number 5 of the layout pattern A and the division number 2 of the layout pattern E, the function widget that is displayed as small as shown in FIG. 9. Display as shown in FIG. 13 is realized. On the other hand, when allocating to a large segment area such as the segment number 3 of the layout pattern B, the function widget having a large display as shown in FIG. 16B is selected, thereby realizing the display as shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the user can easily obtain a screen display corresponding to the task he / she wants to perform by switching the layout pattern and arrangement order. In particular, in this embodiment, a customization screen corresponding to a task can be shared between users, not a customization screen for each user based on user authentication. For example, by assigning a combination of a desired layout pattern and arrangement order to the previously described task launcher screen and the hardware keys of the device, it can be called and used only with a button operation.

  In addition, customization such as a conventional job memory was characterized by storing and maintaining operation conditions and operation modes, but in this embodiment, by storing a layout pattern and an arrangement order, Even if the functional specifications are changed, the layout pattern and layout conditions are not affected, so user customization information can be used without modification and function upgrades have been introduced. It becomes easy.

  Furthermore, unlike a conventional shortcut, since it has a customized layout and arrangement conditions, only necessary parameters can be changed and used repeatedly.

  With the layout pattern switched and the setting in which the arrangement condition is not cleared by the reset operation, the operability for repetitive use in copying or the like is improved.

  In addition, if the same layout pattern as that of a previously used device is prepared, the user can use the same layout pattern as the device that the user has used before.

  Also, when sharing as office equipment, layout customization can be cleared by auto-clear so that other users do not get confused. In addition, when applying the layout pattern and arrangement order information to other models in the same way, for example, by exchanging layout pattern and arrangement order information between devices via a network, which device the user uses However, you can enjoy the same operability.

It is a block diagram explaining the information processor concerning this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the information processing program which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the layout pattern A. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout pattern B. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout pattern C. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout pattern D. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout pattern E. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a combination of a layout pattern and arrangement | positioning order. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen display by the combination of the layout pattern A and arrangement order 01. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a task launcher screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of the destination tab for mail beginners. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of the subject tab for mail beginners. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of the function tab for mail beginners. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display for simple mails. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen display by the combination of the layout pattern B and arrangement order 01. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the two function widgets in both surfaces.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 10 ... Controller, 11 ... Panel I / F, 12 ... Main CPU, 13 ... System memory, 14 ... Previous initial value memory | storage part, 15 ... System memory, 16 ... Input part I / F, 17 ... Output unit I / F, 18 ... initial value storage unit, 19 ... HDD, 20 ... operation panel, 21 ... touch panel display, 30 ... image input unit, 40 ... image output unit

Claims (8)

In an information processing apparatus comprising a display means for displaying a function widget that is an element of a graphical user interface related to various functions,
Layout pattern storage means for storing a plurality of layout patterns having different divided areas, for layout patterns for dividing the display area of the function widget in the display means;
An arrangement order storage means for storing a plurality of arrangement orders for assigning the function widgets to the divided areas of the layout pattern;
The layout pattern and the arrangement order designated by the user are accepted, the accepted layout pattern is called from the layout pattern storage means, the accepted arrangement order is called from the arrangement order storage means, and the called layout pattern is classified. An information processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit configured to generate display data by allocating the function widget to the area according to the calling arrangement order. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit selects the function widget to be assigned to the area according to the size of the divided area of the layout pattern. A change setting unit that receives a change of the arrangement order by a user, changes the arrangement order according to the received change, and stores the changed arrangement order in the arrangement order storage unit; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. An initial state storage means for storing the layout pattern in the initial state and the arrangement order;
The display control unit generates the display data according to a layout pattern and an arrangement order stored in the initial state storage unit after power is turned on, after a reset operation, or after a predetermined time has elapsed. Information processing device. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit performs a process of returning only the parameters to initial values when a reset operation is performed, and maintaining display according to the layout pattern and arrangement order up to that time. A transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving a layout pattern or arrangement order to / from another information processing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The display control unit accepts an operation by a user to a key installed in the information processing apparatus or a button displayed on an operation panel, and a layout pattern and an arrangement order assigned to the operated key or the button are displayed. Call the combination to generate the display data
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. In an information processing program for executing control by a computer to display a function widget that is an element of a graphical user interface related to various functions on a display means,
Previously, the layout pattern for dividing a display area of the functional widget in the display unit, a plurality of layout patterns divided regions are different, the layout pattern divided regions more for allocating the functional widget to the The arrangement order is stored in the storage means,
When the layout pattern specified by the user and the arrangement order are received, the received layout pattern and the arrangement order are called from the storage means, and the called arrangement order is assigned to the partitioned area of the called layout pattern. An information processing program that executes processing for generating display data to which the function widget is assigned according to the computer.

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